Shutting out the indies is a big mistake for Xbox One

Once again Sony > MS
If MS indeed is going to make it hard for indie developers... it will hit them back!

Indie games aren't just an artistic niche - this is where the industry's creative and commercial future will be written

Since Microsoft's unveiling of Xbox One earlier this week, the company and its shiny new device have been subjected to a number of different criticisms - some of which are a bit silly ("the name sucks!"), some of which deny the basic realities of the industry ("but I don't want a console that does anything except games!") but the majority of which are reasonable criticisms that will need to be addressed by deeds, not words, in the coming months.

"While Sony is making efforts to knock down the walls around its garden, Microsoft is hiring new bouncers and re-grouting the brickwork"

One topic in particular stands out, because it's become the subject of some slightly bitter argument within the industry and its associated commentators. In contrast with Sony's highly developer-focused approach with PS4, Microsoft made no mention of indie or self-published titles during the Xbox One reveal, and in subsequent interviews confirmed that it's going to remove the Xbox Live Arcade and Xbox Live Indie Games channels from the new consoles. Furthermore, it's not going to allow any form of self-publishing on Xbox One; instead, it's planning to work with publishing partners in the same way it always has.

In short, while Sony is making efforts to step back from its role as gatekeeper and knock down the walls around its garden (although it will no doubt still wish to maintain a quality control role), Microsoft is hiring new bouncers and re-grouting the brickwork. It's an approach that runs contrary to the general trend in the industry, where strict curation is very much out of fashion; even Nintendo, usually the slowest of the platform holders to acknowledge wider cultural change in the industry, is now paying lip service to the notion of letting developers have more freedom on its platforms.... read the rest hereRob Fahey

Does anyone ever look at that 80 MS point indie games section on the xbox? I don't think so. LustForSoul

Indie dev opinions about MS is pretty obvious for anyone that follows some of the bigger indie dev names. Even one of the recent Kickstarter projects I supported had Nintendo and Sony give them a dev kit for the 3DS, Vita, and Wii U for their game, they didn't even bother trying for MS as far as I know. Other indie devs are saying they are talking to Sony about brining their games to the PS4.

I think they're jumping to conclusions. For one, it's straight-up erroneous when they say that there was no mention of indie developers. One of the Microsoft suits made specific mention to indie developers when they were tossing out numbers about how many games are in development. They've got a point about the xbox live arcade. It's sad to see it gone. Maybe it'll mean that games are sold in the marketplace alongside full, blockbuster releases. I really cant see them just doing away with indie games when they make so much money from downloads.

If they take an apple-like approach, I think it'll be for the better. The quality control on the app store is much better than on the android market (in my opinion, anyhow, not stating that as a fact). Open platform isn't always the way to go. It can sometimes result in a lot of crap being sold to a lot of people who didn't know any better. Only time will tell.

[QUOTE="LustForSoul"]Does anyone ever look at that 80 MS point indie games section on the xbox? I don't think so. locopatho

I think they're jumping to conclusions. For one, it's straight-up erroneous when they say that there was no mention of indie developers. One of the Microsoft suits made specific mention to indie developers when they were tossing out numbers about how many games are in development. They've got a point about the xbox live arcade. It's sad to see it gone. Maybe it'll mean that games are sold in the marketplace alongside full, blockbuster releases. I really cant see them just doing away with indie games when they make so much money from downloads.

 

If they take an apple-like approach, I think it'll be for the better. The quality control on the app store is much better than on the android market (in my opinion, anyhow, not stating that as a fact). Open platform isn't always the way to go. It can sometimes result in a lot of crap being sold to a lot of people who didn't know any better. Only time will tell.

Ninja-Hippo

They aren't shutting out indies.

Lets not forget Xbox was the only console last gen to allow indies to self publish on the Indie channel, and look at how much of a disaster that was.

If theres an indie game out there that looks good, Microsoft or another publisher will work to get it on all platforms, Xbox included. It stops the gamestore being filled with complete tripe.

Does anyone ever look at that 80 MS point indie games section on the xbox? I don't think so. LustForSoul

I think they're jumping to conclusions. For one, it's straight-up erroneous when they say that there was no mention of indie developers. One of the Microsoft suits made specific mention to indie developers when they were tossing out numbers about how many games are in development. They've got a point about the xbox live arcade. It's sad to see it gone. Maybe it'll mean that games are sold in the marketplace alongside full, blockbuster releases. I really cant see them just doing away with indie games when they make so much money from downloads.

 

If they take an apple-like approach, I think it'll be for the better. The quality control on the app store is much better than on the android market (in my opinion, anyhow, not stating that as a fact). Open platform isn't always the way to go. It can sometimes result in a lot of crap being sold to a lot of people who didn't know any better. Only time will tell.

Ninja-Hippo

They just arent placing them under the XBLA header. As another poster said the other day, a lot of people shun games just because they have the xbla banner which is stupid. Now all games will be in the same store which is better I think.

They aren't shutting out indies.

Lets not forget Xbox was the only console last gen to allow indies to self publish on the Indie channel, and look at how much of a disaster that was.

If theres an indie game out there that looks good, Microsoft or another publisher will work to get it on all platforms, Xbox included. It stops the gamestore being filled with complete tripe.

RR360DD

This is what is driving me away from MS the most... To hear developers say MS is making mistakes is striking... Tim Shaffer outright boo'ed them... 

A system that deliberately keeps Phil Fish out?

I'll take four.

I dont normally say this but agree that This xbox will be a massive fail Focusing more on TV, Sport and kinect. I think they will bring out another version in a couple of years say 2 or so and call it a games machine upgrade.

People have to learn the term quality control. The sh*t I've seen when Steam Greenlight was free to submit your work. If Sony doesn't put any form of quality control, you're going to see some really dumb sh*t on there.tagyhag

I wouldn't call that quality control...

People have to learn the term quality control. The sh*t I've seen when Steam Greenlight was free to submit your work. If Sony doesn't put any form of quality control, you're going to see some really dumb sh*t on there.tagyhag

Xbox Live Indie Games was a great place to find games :P

Can anyone tell me the last time a lemming brought up XBLIG in a debate? There's over 2500 games on that platform, and I don't think a single one has ever been used as ownage because I'm sure not a single one is good. :P

Cows, Sheep, and Hermies all act like XBLA was THE place for the self-publishing indie dev. The Xbox 360 had an extra subsection of games called XBLIG (Indie Games) where any dev could post any content. None of it was reviewed by MS, or the ESRB, and you got horrifying things because of it :P

I mean, I'm all for free distribution of content, but there's not really any room for ownage.

There's over 2500 games on that platform, and I don't think a single one has ever been used as ownage because I'm sure not a single one is good. :PLy_the_Fairy

yeah xbl has an entire section devoted to indie devs and to assist them in getting their games in the public but now they are going to abandon all that... because...ummm... they are the evil empire who don't like-ee the gamers no mo?

i swear you guys sound as rational  as the  ancient alien and illuminati dudes now.

quit letting your emotions rule your logic.

that is a horrible way to live.

Does anyone ever look at that 80 MS point indie games section on the xbox? I don't think so. LustForSoul

They aren't shutting out indies.

Lets not forget Xbox was the only console last gen to allow indies to self publish on the Indie channel, and look at how much of a disaster that was.

If theres an indie game out there that looks good, Microsoft or another publisher will work to get it on all platforms, Xbox included. It stops the gamestore being filled with complete tripe.

RR360DD

[QUOTE="locopatho"][QUOTE="LustForSoul"]Does anyone ever look at that 80 MS point indie games section on the xbox? I don't think so. LustForSoul

[QUOTE="tagyhag"]People have to learn the term quality control. The sh*t I've seen when Steam Greenlight was free to submit your work. If Sony doesn't put any form of quality control, you're going to see some really dumb sh*t on there.V3rciS

I wouldn't call that quality control...

yeah xbl has an entire section devoted to indie devs and to assist them in getting their games in the public.

Riverwolf007

Compare that to this and it's night and day. Developers aren't making games for the indie channel or XBLA for a reason, hence the almost overwhelming negativity towards the service from commetors and devs alike.

[QUOTE="tagyhag"]People have to learn the term quality control. The sh*t I've seen when Steam Greenlight was free to submit your work. If Sony doesn't put any form of quality control, you're going to see some really dumb sh*t on there.Ly_the_Fairy

Xbox Live Indie Games was a great place to find games :P

Can anyone tell me the last time a lemming brought up XBLIG in a debate? There's over 2500 games on that platform, and I don't think a single one has ever been used as ownage because I'm sure not a single one is good. :P

Cows, Sheep, and Hermies all act like XBLA was THE place for the self-publishing indie dev. The Xbox 360 had an extra subsection of games called XBLIG (Indie Games) where any dev could post any content. None of it was reviewed by MS, or the ESRB, and you got horrifying things because of it :P

I mean, I'm all for free distribution of content, but there's not really any room for ownage.

sure it takes a bit of effort to find the great ones but there are more than a few.

penny arcades jrpg parody

cutulu saves the world

soulcaster 

escape goat

breath of death 7

and if you won't listen to me maybe you will listen to giant bomb.

http://www.giantbomb.com/profile/senatorspacer/lists/xbox-live-indie-games-you-need-to-buy/44699

Can't Microsoft see the importance in Indie developers now unlike back then? It's a different ball game.

[QUOTE="Riverwolf007"]

yeah xbl has an entire section devoted to indie devs and to assist them in getting their games in the public.

skrat_01

Compare that to this and it's night and day. Developers aren't making games for the indie channel or XBLA for a reason, hence the almost overwhelming negativity towards the service from commetors and devs alike.

also   we can just compare consoles as a whole to steam and laugh at people paying $60 for 4 month old games that are $25 on steam.

or for not getting to play the other pc exclusives.

there is almost no subject in sw that people can't hide behind pc is there?

People have to learn the term quality control.tagyhag

[QUOTE="skrat_01"]

[QUOTE="Riverwolf007"]

yeah xbl has an entire section devoted to indie devs and to assist them in getting their games in the public.

Riverwolf007

Compare that to this and it's night and day. Developers aren't making games for the indie channel or XBLA for a reason, hence the almost overwhelming negativity towards the service from commetors and devs alike.

or for not getting to play the other pc exclusives.

there is almost no subject in sw that people can't hide behind pc is there?